Radical Faction of Egypt

The Radical Faction was a radical political faction in Egypt that was active from 1850 to 1914. The Radical Faction represented the interests of the powerful merchant class of Egyptian society, which demanded more economic and political autonomy from the Khedive. The faction advocated a completely deregulated economy, the abolition of religion in public life, full citizenship for all residents of the khedivate, and a strong military, views which were considered treasonous by the government. In addition, the faction armed a Citizen Guard with the goal of rebelling against the khedivate if it infringed on the rights of the bourgeoisie. In 1914, the faction was disbanded when Egypt became a British protectorate.